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Founder Director Jobs in Rochester, NY (NOW HIRING)

Director of Development

Mumford, NY · On-site

$68K - $72K/yr

... Founder's Circle, and secures corporate partnerships through memberships and sponsorships. The ... Director also plays a significant role in donor cultivation and stewardship activities, including ...

Headquartered in our hometown of Rochester, New York, where our founder, Chuck August, opened his ... The Senior Director, IT Applications - Front Office is responsible for leading the strategy ...

Headquartered in our hometown of Rochester, New York, where our founder, Chuck August, opened his ... The Senior Director, IT Applications - Front Office is responsible for leading the strategy ...

Headquartered in our hometown of Rochester, New York, where our founder, Chuck August, opened his first store in 1957, we have grown to nearly 1,100 auto repair shops and tire dealers in 32 states ...

Headquartered in our hometown of Rochester, New York, where our founder, Chuck August, opened his first store in 1957, we have grown to nearly 1,100 auto repair shops and tire dealers in 32 states ...

... direct reports, including offshore team members. This role requires strong vendor relationship ... Headquartered in our hometown of Rochester, New York, where our founder, Chuck August, opened his ...

Initial store level focus on physical inventory variances, in transit discrepancies, direct store ... Headquartered in our hometown of Rochester, New York, where our founder, Chuck August, opened his ...

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Founder Director information

What is a founder director?

Founder Directors are individuals who have both founded a company and serve on its board of directors. They are responsible for setting the strategic direction of the organization, making high-level decisions, and ensuring the company adheres to its mission and values. Founder Directors often play a pivotal role in shaping the company's culture and long-term vision, leveraging their entrepreneurial insight to guide the business from inception through growth stages.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a founder director, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Founder Director, you need a strong background in business development, strategic planning, leadership, and financial management, generally supported by entrepreneurial experience or a relevant degree. Familiarity with business management software, finance tools, and sometimes project management or industry-specific certifications is common. Visionary thinking, resilience, exceptional communication, and decision-making skills set outstanding Founder Directors apart. These competencies are essential for driving organizational growth, navigating challenges, and effectively leading teams to achieve business objectives.

What are some common challenges founder directors face when transitioning from a startup phase to a scaling business?

Founder Directors often encounter challenges in shifting their focus from hands-on involvement in every aspect of the business to delegating responsibilities and building out leadership teams. As the company grows, they need to implement more structured processes and adapt their management style to support larger teams and more complex operations. Balancing strategic vision with day-to-day execution, while maintaining company culture and employee engagement, can be particularly demanding. Successful Founder Directors are those who prioritize clear communication, invest in leadership development, and remain adaptable as the business evolves.

What is the difference between Founder Director vs Business Development Manager?

AspectFounder DirectorBusiness Development Manager
CredentialsTypically entrepreneurial experience, industry knowledge, sometimes advanced degreesRelevant bachelor’s or master’s degree, sales or marketing certifications
Work EnvironmentLeadership role in startup or company, strategic planning, high-level decision makingClient engagement, market research, sales strategy implementation
Industry UsageFounders or early-stage companies, startups, SMEsEstablished companies, sales teams, marketing departments
Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding leadership roles in startups, entrepreneurial positionsSales growth, market expansion, client acquisition roles

The main difference is that a Founder Director is a high-level leadership role often involved in starting and guiding a company, while a Business Development Manager focuses on expanding the company's market presence and sales. Both roles require strategic thinking, but the Founder Director typically has broader responsibilities in company vision and governance.

What are the most commonly searched types of Founder jobs in Rochester, NY?

The most popular types of Founder jobs in Rochester, NY are:

What cities near Rochester, NY are hiring for Founder Director jobs?

Cities near Rochester, NY with the most Founder Director job openings:

Director of Development

Genesee Country Museum

Mumford, NY • On-site

$68K - $72K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 24 days ago


Job description

Position: Director of Development
Reports to: Vice President of Development
Location: Mumford, NY (near Rochester); On-Site Position
Primary Function: To grow and strengthen Genesee Country Village amp; Museum’s membership and sponsorship revenue by leading our general membership program, cultivating mid-level donors, and securing corporate partnerships that support our programs and events.
Hours: Full-time; Weekdays, with occasional evenings and weekends as needed, particularly during the Museum’s open season.
Salary: $68,000-$72,000 annually, dependent on experience
The Director of Development is a key fundraising position focused on building and strengthening relationships with individual and corporate supporters. This role leads the Museum’s membership program, cultivates mid-level donors from general membership and the Founder’s Circle, and secures corporate partnerships through memberships and sponsorships. The Director also plays a significant role in donor cultivation and stewardship activities, including our annual signature event, The Whirl.
This is an exciting opportunity for a development professional who enjoys connecting with donors, building partnerships in the community, and creating meaningful experiences that deepen engagement with the Museum.
While some work may be completed remotely, regular onsite presence is essential to engage with the Museum’s programs, collaborate with colleagues, and build relationships with members, donors, and corporate partners. The mix of onsite and remote work may vary depending on experience, workload, and the Museum’s calendar of events.
Responsibilities:
Corporate Membership and Sponsorship Programs (30%)
  • Identify, cultivate, and steward local, regional, and national corporate prospects to secure both restricted and unrestricted support.
  • Develop and manage corporate membership and sponsorship opportunities that connect businesses with the Museum’s mission and audience.
  • Build strong relationships with corporate partners through regular outreach, meetings, and recognition opportunities.
  • Ensure fulfillment of sponsorship benefits and maintain accurate records of agreements and commitments.
Mid-Level Gift Cultivation and Solicitation (30%)
  • Manage a portfolio of individual donors and prospects giving up to $10,000 annually through General and Founder’s Circle memberships.
  • Identify, cultivate, solicit, and steward donors to strengthen engagement and increase annual giving.
  • Conduct regular outreach through meetings, calls, tours, and personalized communication to deepen relationships with supporters.
  • Identify donors with major gift potential and partner with the development team to transition those relationships when appropriate.
General Museum Membership Program (20%)
  • Lead the Museum’s general membership program, including strategies for acquisition, renewal, retention, and upgrades.
  • Work closely with the Development Coordinator to ensure timely and accurate processing of memberships, renewals, acknowledgements, and member communications.
  • Collaborate with Marketing and Visitor Services teams to promote membership and enhance the member experience.
  • Monitor membership trends and data to identify opportunities for growth and improved retention.
Donor Cultivation Activities amp; Stewardship Events (20%)
  • Support donor cultivation through one-on-one meetings, tours, and special events.
  • Plan and execute donor stewardship communications and engagement activities to deepen relationships and strengthen loyalty.
  • Serve a key role in securing sponsorships and supporting the planning and success of The Whirl, GCV amp;M’s annual signature fundraising event.
Minimum Qualifications:
  • Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and professional experience.
  • Minimum of five years of nonprofit fundraising, membership, partnership development, or related relationship-driven roles, with demonstrated success in building donor or sponsor relationships and increasing support.
  • Strong written and verbal communication, customer service, and prioritization skills, along with the ability to represent the Museum in public forums in a skilled and professional manner.
  • Experience building relationships with a broad range of individuals, including donors, members, trustees, corporate partners, community leaders, staff, volunteers, and the general public.
  • Experience supervising or guiding staff and volunteers while demonstrating professional conduct, sound judgment, and ethical leadership.
  • Experience working with donor databases (Bloomerang preferred) and proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
  • Strong organizational and prioritization skills with the ability to manage multiple projects and relationships simultaneously.
  • Ability to occasionally work evenings and weekends for events and donor engagement.
  • Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility in fundraising practices.
  • *Please submit cover letter along with resume to be considered for this position*
BENEFITS:
We are proud to support the health and wellbeing of our employees. Our comprehensive benefits package includes healthcare, dental, and vision coverage; a 403(b) retirement plan with an annual board-approved employer match for qualified staff; accrued paid time off; life insurance; disability coverage; an employee assistance program; and a family membership to the Museum.
WHO WE ARE:
Genesee Country Village amp; Museum, located in Mumford, NY 25 miles outside of Rochester, is the largest living history museum in New York State. Our 68-building Historic Village, John L. Wehle Gallery, and Genesee Country Nature Center host nearly 100,000 guests each year on site, off site around the community, and online across the world. Learn more on our website www.gcv.org.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement: Genesee Country Village amp; Museum is committed to a policy of Equal Employment Opportunity with respect to all employees, applicants, and interns for employment. We recruit, hire, train, and promote without discrimination due to race, color, sex, age, disability, religion, citizenship, national origin, military or veteran status, marital status, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, and any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.
Diversity Statement: Genesee Country Village amp; Museum is actively committed to broadening our understanding of DEAI (Diversity, Equity, Accessibility, and Inclusion) and making it part of everything that we do. Guided by our mission, values, and inclusive culture of curiosity, we celebrate the stories of our shared past; connect the rich diversity of the 19th century to the present; and collaborate with the communities we serve to create welcoming spaces for learning, work, exploration, and play.